I have read a lot about the background on these two software programs, and have come to the conclusion that they are really a religion for software programmers who hate MSFT. They will get some business when the tech type controls the company, but no "Suit" is going to buy them.
The non-tech "Suits" use, know and love Windows, and are not about to let the IS manager install something else that they will have to learn from scratch, that does not match what they have been using, and are still using at home.
Respectfully, I think you oversimplify the situation. Of course there are software developers out there that are attracted to Java and Linux because they aren't Microsoft. I know because I work with some of them. However, at least in the case of Linux, there are some real economic advantages that the Suits, as you like to call them, will have to pay attention to. For a different perspective, consider the following article from this week's Federal Computer Week:
cnn.com
" If federal IT buyers are serious about reducing total cost of ownership and choosing systems based on best value, they should begin to consider Linux as part of the equation. Having such alternatives can only help to create competition that pushes IT costs lower and in turn improves operating systems - something federal procurement reformers have hoped would happen."
Also, keep in mind that Citrix makes a Linux ICA client. This would allow you to use a very inexpensive Linux based PC as a thin client running Windows applications back on a Citrix server farm. |
